The Metazoa Podcast

In this episode, Phoebe and Jacob discuss the highly debated rediscovery of the extinct Javan Tiger, California's first fatal mountain lion attack in 20 years, and the possible discovery of two new orca species AND a new tiny deer! They also talk about the daring plan to rescue an orca calf currently trapped in a lagoon in Vancouver. In this week's "Animal Trivia," Phoebe learns about what kind of music cows like. In "Weird, Wacky, and Wondrous," she tells Jacob all about a popcorn-scented mammal who can climb trees!

In this episode, Phoebe and Jacob discuss a famous duo of male orcas known as Port and Starboard who have a particular fondness for great white shark liver. They also cover a newly-discovered ancient "chinese dragon," a whopping 100 new species discovered by researchers off the coast of Chile, and a frog with a mushroom growing out of its side. They also introduce a new segment in this episode titled "America... the Beautiful??" where they laugh at hilariously bad reviews of the nation's most beloved national parks. To end the episode, Phoebe introduces Jacob to a large-toothed deep sea fish in this week's "Weird, Wacky, and Wondrous."

In this episode, Jacob and Phoebe gush about their local national park, Great Smoky Mountains. They discuss their personal family history in the area, Phoebe's obsession with the elk, and their infamous encounter with the Hog Pit.

In this episode, Phoebe and Jacob talk all about their national park adventures! Tune in to listen to our tales of encountering wild hogs in the swamps of Congaree, standing above circling buzzards at Cumberland Gap, and braving the pits of Mammoth Cave!

In this news-heavy episode, Phoebe and Jacob talk about the discovery of a "shark graveyard" deep within Mammoth Cave National Park and the world's first sighting of a baby great white shark! We talk about the terrifying cicada apocalypse and the unique way that alligators survive freezing temperatures. We also look at a new species of snake in the Andes and discuss a pod of orcas that were recently trapped in drift ice off the coast of Japan. To end the episode, Phoebe nerds out about a recent find from researchers studying the blue whale genome, which reveals significant hybridization with fin whales!

In this episode, Phoebe and Jacob talk about the recent discovery of sperm whale cultures and democracies and the news that South Korea will be banning the dog meat trade. They also discuss the unusual discovery of a new Tyrannosaur species, a sighting of a rare "two-sexed" bird, and the unfortunate realization that California's mountain lion population is much lower than originally thought. In this week's "Animal Trivia," Jacob quizzes Phoebe on animal group names. In "Weird, Wacky, and Wondrous," we talk about a tiny carnivorous marsupial whose bite is much stronger than its bark. To end the episode, they have a conversation about the US Fish and Wildlife Service's controversial decision to cull 500,000 barred owls in order to save the threatened Northern Spotted Owl.

In this episode, Phoebe and Jacob talk about the recent relocation of five critically endangered eastern black rhinos and the discovery of a beautiful new seal species. They discuss a sighting of a new jaguar in the US and the implications of a polar bear dying of highly-contagious avian flu. They also geek out over the historic return of the auroch! In this week's "Animal Trivia," we learn about what animal has the highest blood pressure, what mammal is the smallest, and more. In "Weird, Wacky, and Wondrous," Phoebe quizzes Jacob on an eerie lemur-like animal with the ability to glide. To end the episode, we talk about the recent reign of an adolescent elephant seal named "Neil."

In this episode, Phoebe and Jacob take a deep dive into the history of wolves in the US, from the religion-fueled preconceptions of early colonists to the historic and momentous reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone. This conversation is complex with stigmas and political drama abound, but we believe that it is important! Coexistence should always be our goal.

In this episode, we celebrate Jonathan the Tortoise's 191st birthday, look at rare images of a piebald moose in Norway, and discuss the likelihood of vampire bats moving northward into the Southern US. We also talk about a playful group of orcas that have been hanging around off the coast of San Diego. To end the episode, we begin our in-depth discussion about the reintroduction of wolves into Colorado, which has sparked political turmoil.

In this episode, Phoebe and Jacob discuss the discovery of a new dwarf gecko species in India and the rediscovery of a sand-swimming mole in Africa. They also do a deep-dive into Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and its recent spread into Yellowstone National Park. Jacob quizzes Phoebe on animal trivia, and she introduces him to a mysterious gelatinous animal in "Weird, Wacky, and Wondrous." To end the episode, in celebration of the holiday season, they talk all about reindeer and their strange winter adaptations!